The phrase “Out with the old and in with the new” is integral to consumerism, as businesses entice us with new products that are bigger and better and promise to accommodate our ever-evolving needs. This approach applies to the automotive industry, with automakers frequently updating their lineups and introducing new models with cutting-edge features and technologies. These new models promise extraordinary luxury, engaging performance, and industry-leading connectivity and driver-assist tools. Yet, they also come at a premium.
Fortunately, drivers quickly find that they don’t have to pay top dollar for the latest features, finding the perfect solution at used car dealers across the country. While new vehicles are enticing, more consumers are discovering the perks of investing in used models. For starters, you can spend far less money and enjoy many comparable features and luxuries. Moreover, you keep more of your hard-earned money in your wallet by avoiding the rapid depreciation that befalls every new vehicle, and that hits luxury cars even harder than most. It’s a win-win for everyone.
So, what can you expect on the used lot? You’ll find staples like the Ford Explorer, Chevy Malibu, Honda Accord, and Nissan Titan, but what if you want something truly remarkable? Do you have to compromise your penchant for luxury and top-tier performance? Absolutely not. Here are some of the most luxurious and capable used models that are incredible finds on the lots of used car dealers from coast to coast.
2019 Audi RS 7 Sportback
Audi is synonymous with luxury, with models like the 2019 RS 7 blending luxury and performance to deliver one exceptional package on the used lot. The RS 7 debuted in 2014, rolling off the production line with a 553-horsepower V8 engine producing 516 lb-ft of torque for jaw-dropping performance. Fortunately for Audi fans, the RS 7’s performance has only improved with age.
The 2019 RS 7 marks its second generation and is available as a five-seater Sportback for the first time in RS 7 history. With improved aerodynamics and design elements, the 2019 RS 7 is more efficient and engaging. It also helps that its V8 twin-turbocharged engine produces more power than ever, churning out 600 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque for pure thrills in the driver’s seat.
As expected, you’ll find plenty of tech-savvy features in the 2019 RS 7, from connectivity and navigation to safety and driver-assist. Audi delivers the ultimate user experience, outfitting the 2019 RS 7 with over 30 driver-assist features that extend from Adaptive Cruise Assist and Intersection Assist to a Curb Warning, Lane Change Warning, and a 360-degree camera. These technologies complement the RS 7’s Audi virtual cockpit, central display, and RS head-up display that offer a variety of information, from navigational cues and speed to G-forces, lap times, and boost pressure.
2020 Lexus LS500
After massive success in the 1970s and 1980s, Toyota and its fellow Japanese automakers were known solely for building reliable cars that erred on the side of practicality rather than luxury. Fortunately, Toyota refused to be pigeonholed and established its luxury brand, Lexus, in the 1980s and debuted the LS400. As the earliest iteration of the LS500 we know and love today, the LS400 proved Toyota was intimately familiar with luxury and was happy to deliver to its American customers.
Over the years, the LS400 evolved into the LS500, officially gaining its new designation after its fifth-generation debut in 2018. Luckily, even with a new name, the LS500 continues its legacy as an opulent powerhouse that offers every amenity imaginable. The 2020 LS500 is an excellent example of this living legacy, with its twin-turbocharged V6 engine producing 416 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque for a launch from 0 to 60 MPH in 4.6 seconds. This experience is even more impressive if you can find a 2020 LS500 with the F Sport package, which boasts exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels, larger brakes with optimized brake pads, an Active Stabilizer Suspension, Active Rear Steering, and advanced Variable Gear Ratio Steering for outstanding responsiveness at any speed.
The LS500 is one of the most well-rounded luxury cars on the used lot because it’s designed for everyday comfort. Lexus guarantees as much, equipping the 2020 LS500 with a 12.3-inch center touchscreen display with navigation and smartphone integration. The center display is impressive, but is quickly overshadowed by the 24-inch color head-up display that puts vital information within immediate view to ensure you have the best experience behind the wheel as you navigate every corner and straightaway.
2019 Jaguar XJ50 Special Edition
Jaguar is an automotive brand that dreams are made of, so it’s only fitting that a model like the legendary XJ has a place on our list. With a handful of four-door sedans in its lineup in the 1960s, Jaguar replaced its sedans with the XJ, known as the “eXperimental Jaguar,” in 1968. Larger and more accommodating than its predecessors, the XJ was also aesthetically different because of its sportier silhouette. Interestingly enough, Jaguar didn’t modify this design until 2009.
Despite its success and iconic design, Jaguar discontinued the XJ in 2019. As a result, the final production run is an outstanding find for drivers that have always dreamt of driving and owning a Jag. The XJ50 Special Edition is the perfect model to celebrate that dream since it commemorates the XJ’s 50 years in the Jaguar family. As you can expect, the XJ goes out in style, and drivers reap the rewards.
Models like the 2019 XJ offer several powertrains, from the exciting supercharged 3.0L V6 that delivers 340 horsepower, to the flagship 5.0L supercharged V8 that churns out 575 horsepower and 517 lb-ft of torque. That output translates to a launch from 0 to 60 MPH in 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 174 MPH. With the XJ’s advanced chassis and next-generation technologies like the Adaptive Dynamics system, harnessing that power is seamless, especially with the XJ’s selectable drive modes that let you finetune the icon’s handling and output to your needs and the driving conditions.
2017 Bentley Continental GT
Automakers like Jaguar and Bentley capitalize on exclusivity, touting models that offer high-end luxury and astonishing capability at sky-high prices. Fortunately, older models like the 2017 Bentley Continental GT diminish this exclusivity, at least a little. These used models make it possible for drivers (though still those with deeper pockets) to enjoy the luxury of owning a Bentley without paying the new car sticker price. Moreover, even with an older model from 2017, you still enjoy plenty of perks and an incredible experience in the driver’s seat.
The Continental has a long history in the Bentley family, but the Continental GT is most often in the spotlight. As luxury redefined, the 2017 Continental GT introduced its third generation by debuting a bolder exterior design and one of the most refined and sophisticated interiors in history. From its handcrafted design to Bentley’s keen attention to detail, the 2017 Continental GT is a piece of art on wheels.
Luckily for potential owners, the Continental GT is a piece of art with a lot to say, courtesy of its powerful beating heart. Bentley ensures the Continental GT lives up to every expectation, and equips it with a renowned 6.0L engine that delivers 626 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a dual-clutch eight-speed transmission that offers incredible responsiveness, the 2017 Continental GT roars to life, reaching a top speed of 207 MPH and a launch from 0 to 60 MPH in 3.6 seconds.
Putting Luxury and Performance Within Reach
From Audi and Jaguar to Bentley and Lexus, these iconic automakers put performance and luxury within reach. Shopping for a used car doesn’t have to be boring, and models like the RS 7, LS500, XJ50, and Continental GT prove as much. These models are legions beyond what you expect when shopping for a used car. Moreover, they never require you to lower your standards or compromise. Instead, they deliver advanced technologies, lavish interiors, and jaw-dropping thrills that guarantee an experience like you’ve only imagined.
